However, electronic skins that can simultaneously detect both heat and different types of pressure with a level of high sensitivity have been a difficult to develop, until now.

Professor Park and his colleagues have designed ferroelectric films that mimic the grooved, microscopically 'mountainous' structure of human fingertip skin.

By adding composites made of a polymer and reduced graphene oxide, the films are able to detect touch and temperature using sensing electric charges.

The authors tested the e-skin's response to sensory changes created by water droplets and found that the skins can detect water falling at different pressures and temperatures.

They also found that the artificial fingertip skin could detect a tiny amount of pressure created by a human hair.

And when attached to a human wrist, Professor Park and colleagues said their e-skin can be used to monitor pulse pressure by detecting the changes in skin temperature that occur when blood vessels dilate or constrict.

Last month, researchers from Stanford University developed touch-sensitive artificial skin that not only detects pressure, but can transmit signals to nerve cells.

They hope the proof-of-concept experiment will lead to artificial hands that allow the wearer to feel different textures and distinguish between hot and cold.

Electronic SKIN can 'feel' heat and pressure at the same time: Film is so sensitive it can tell when a human hair is placed on it

Human skin contains unique microstructures and sensory receptors

Researchers have mimicked these structures in an electronic film

The grooved surface is made from plastic and graphene oxide and can detect touch and temperature using electric charges

It is so sensitive it can detect the weight of a human hair being placed on it